"Hold him down! Don't be so pathetic!"

"We are trying Sir!" Several men cried out as they were thrown into walls.

"Try harder!"

"Can't we just sedate him Sir?"

"No! He must drink it all, and he must drink it willingly."

"Look out!"

"Finish the job! He must be mine you idiots!"

Bone crunched. Blood covered the floors. Men cried out in pain. Snarls and screams filled the chamber.

"He's fading!"

"Grab him!"

"Hold him down! That's it, that's it!"

"He's drinking!"

"Good. Now he's MINE."

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Seonghwa managed to keep a low profile, much to his surprise. There wasn't a lot of organization at this place unless a meeting was called and direction was given. Other than that, it looked like everyone went about their normal lives.

There were doctors, cooks, gardeners, builders, crafters, and of course guards and other military type alphas.

And alphas definitely made up most of the population. There were a few stronger betas that were in the guard, several who did the trades, but omegas were nonexistent... If he had to guess, the few omegas they had rounded up were being kept prisoner somewhere...

He had to be careful how close he got to the other wolves, but he had managed to continue to get into that room to change out his uniform when he felt the alpha smell was starting to fade. They didn't guard the inside of the fortress very well.

Even so, Seonghwa still had yet to find Yeosang or Mingi... He was always listening for a sign, but wherever they were, it must have been a secret to most of the alphas here.

He tried to explore the inside of the fortress, but the deeper he got, the more alphas there were and the harder it was to avoid him. He was sure that must be where they were being kept.

Several days passed before he managed to slip out of the front gate again to try and check in.

Jongho? San? Hongjoong?

Seonghwa! Jongho answered quickly.

Oh thank goodness. I'm sorry it's been so long... Things aren't easy here and there are a lot of alphas...

It's ok. Are you ok though? Any luck?

No... What about you three? Seonghwa turned to make sure he wasn't followed.

San left a few days ago to look for Wooyoung and Yunho... His voice sounded broken.

He... Still hasn't found them...?

No...

Jongho... Are you ok?

He was met with silence, but he could feel the alpha's pain through their link. San hadn't made it in time...

I'm sure he's ok.

I can still feel Yunho, so I have hope... But now both Hongjoong and I have lost a mate... He still hasn't recovered. I'm worried Seonghwa. And I'm in no state to protect him if someone finds us. I don't know what to do...

Things seemed to be pretty hopeless right now. Their entire pack was scattered and Seonghwa and San were the only ones who seemed to be fully functioning. Although with San out of contact so he couldn't even be sure about that anymore.

You need to try and stay strong for Hongjoong's sake. Hopefully he will be better soon and you can come my direction. I'm not sure how long I can keep up my disguise here. They seem fairly oblivious, but I don't want to count on that forever. We are going to get through this Jongho.

Are you sure you're an omega? He said with a teasing tone.

Seonghwa managed a small chuckle. If Jongho could attempt to make a joke, then he would be ok. Just be careful, ok? I need to head back in soon so I will try to check in when I can. Hide nearby if you get here before I check in so we can touch base.

Be careful...

Seonghwa nodded, even though no one could see him, and made his way back into the bustling town. He was about to try and snatch some food when he recognized one of the alphas walking about of the fortress.

Lance.

He ducked behind a stall and pulled the hat he was wearing farther down on his head. It didn't seem that the alpha had noticed him, but he did look upset. He also still had a bruise on his face from where he had hit the wall.

Seonghwa smirked and continued to watch him, hoping that maybe he would lead him to the rest of his pack.

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Jongho sighed as he looked down at Hongjoong. He had been awake for the entire conversation but he was pretty sure the alpha hadn't really heard anything. He just stared blankly at the cave wall. There was no life or spark in his eyes.

"Hongjoong? Did you hear that?" He asked quietly. "Seonghwa is looking Yeosang."

Dead eyes shifted to look at him. "Y-Yeosang?" His voice was so weak.

"That's right. He's trying to find Yeosang for you. Do you feel like you can go help? We need to work on getting our pack back together." Jongho said, placing a hand on Hongjoong's shoulder, trying to fight back the tears from the pain of losing his own mate.

"Where is Yeosang? I n-need him..."

"Seonghwa is looking for him, but he needs our help." Jongho squeezed. "We need to go save Yeosang."

Something shifted inside Hongjoong and his eyes flashed red and narrowed. Jongho could feel anger radiating off him as if he had just said the magic words. Save Yeosang. That's exactly what they needed to do.

As much as he wanted to look for his mates... Mate... Jongho knew that Hongjoong needed Yeosang a little more. Plus that was San's job right now.

Hongjoong pushed himself off the ground and stood on shaky legs. Then he undressed, tied his clothes to his legs, and shifted. It looked painful, and it took a long time, but his eyes were crimson with anger.

Jongho followed suit then walked forward to nuzzle the side of Hongjoong's face. The alpha leaned into the touch and breathed deeply.

I'm sorry Jongho... I...

You don't need to explain. Let's go get him back, ok?

The two alphas continued to rub against each other. Hongjoong seemed to need the connection, it was slowly bringing him out of the comatose state he had been in. Jongho appreciated it too, but he did his best to push his feelings aside in order to support his head alpha.

Let's go get them back. Lead the way. Hongjoong finally said.

Jongho nodded and the two began to run north.

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He wanted to die.

Maybe he already was.

He felt nothing.

Not the blanket covering him. Not the hands that grabbed him. Nor did he hear the angry words meant for him.

He was a shell.

All he wanted was for the darkness to swallow him whole so that maybe the ache in his chest would go away.

The emptiness consumed him.

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"Chan?" Wooyoung asked weakly, stepping around Yunho. The beta grabbed his wrist to stop him.

"Oh my god, Wooyoung!" Chan started to walk faster, but stopped when Yunho growled in warning. "Yunho? You're here too?"

"I thought you were dead." Yunho said. It wasn't a question. He stepped in front of Wooyoung. Something didn't feel right. He could feel Wooyoung's heart racing through their link.

"No. Wounded, yes. Dead, no. But I thought..." He bit his lip and looked down before looking back at Wooyoung. "I thought you had died when..." He touched his neck.

"Th-They told me y-you were... The elders, they f-forced me t-to..."

Chan swore and looked to the side. "I should have known. Any excuse to get rid of you." His head twitched as he turned to face them again. The veins in his neck bulged too.

Yunho narrowed his eyes and glared at him. "Where have you been?"

"I fell in with a new pack. They found me on the field and took care of me and helped me heal. I thought you were dead otherwise I would have come back for you..." He stepped forward again, but Yunho snarled.

What's wrong? Wooyoung asked him.

Something doesn't feel right. I don't trust it. How did he find us so easily after all this time?

But it's Chan... He would never hurt me...

Are you so willing to run back to him when you know Jongho and San are looking for you? Yunho snapped. Wooyoung flinched at his words and whimpered.

"So you two have formed a pack I see." Chan said, a hint of jealousy to his voice.

"Yes. And we have an alpha too. Several actually." Yunho snapped.

"Where are they?" Chan asked, looking around. He didn't get an answer. "You could come with me. I could protect you again, Wooyoung... I've missed you so much."

His head twitched again and Yunho saw his eyes flash red.

Something is wrong with him. He didn't get an answer. He knew the omega was struggling right now with the reappearance of seeing his old mate after losing the connection to a new one.

"Please?" Chan asked.

"Our pack is coming for us. We go separated, but they are coming." Yunho narrowed his eyes when he saw the alpha twitch again.

"Let me protect you until they do. I can help you. Please Youngie, I missed you so much. Won't you even come see me?"

Yunho felt Wooyoung tense behind him, then step out. "Youngie..." He said, reaching for the omega. Wooyoung hesitated. His emotions were feeding into Yunho like crazy.

The veins on Chan's neck bulged again. He looked like he was fighting against something...

Wooyoung took another step. So did Chan.

Then the alpha lunged, grabbing onto Wooyoung's wrist and pulling him into his chest.

Yunho stepped forward then hesitated when he saw that Chan had just pulled him into a hug. Wooyoung started to cry as his old alpha embraced him. The beta had to admit it was a touching time, he knew how hurt Wooyoung had been when he was forced to break the bond.

He started to back away when Chan rose a shaky arm. In it was a needle filled with a strange pale blue liquid.

"NO!" Yunho roared, but it was too late.

Chan's eyes flashed red as he jabbed the needle into Wooyoung's back. The alpha cried out and fell limp to the ground as he slipped through Chan's arms.

"YOU BASTARD!" Yunho said, going to step forward.

Chan held up another needle and pointed it at Yunho. "I swear, I didn't know it was you. I'm just following orders. My new pack... the head alpha wants betas and omegas." His head twitched again. And his eyes flashed between red and black. "If I had known... Please don't make me do this to you too."

"You know the head alpha won't accept Wooyoung!" Yunho cried out. He could see now that Chan was trying to fight against his alpha's command, but that didn't mean he was ready to give up yet.

"I know." Chan whimpered, his eyes flashing to Wooyoung's limp form. "I'll try to protect him. I never wanted to hurt him. You have to believe me Yunho..."

Yunho bit his lip. The alpha seemed sincere... But this whole situation... "It's Alpha Pack... Isn't it?"

Chan nodded.

"You don't touch him." Yunho growled, marching forward and picking Wooyoung up. "You lost that right."

Chan's head twitched his head again and he looked away. "I need to take you back..."

"I know. My pack is there, or part of them at least. So lead the way, but if you try anything funny, I will not hesitate to rip your throat out."

The alpha nodded and started to walk away.

Yunho held Wooyoung close to his chest and glared at the back of Chan's head. He couldn't fully blame him as he was ordered by a head alpha. But that didn't stop him from wanting to protect Wooyoung at all costs.

If anyone tried to lay a hand on the omega, they wouldn't live to see the next day. He would make sure of it.

They were probably walking right into a trap, but Yunho also knew that his pack, part of it at least, was being held by the Alpha Pack. If they had a chance to see them again and free them, he would take it.

He prayed that they met Jongho along the way too. Or San. Either one of them would be a better alpha to Wooyoung than Chan could be. Especially now that he was with Alpha Pack...

Jongho? San? Can you hear me?

Silence.

Please... We need you...